The Reds officially signed Ryan Ludwick and Ryan Madsen this week to go along with their trades for SP Mat Latos (who's wife is freaking hilarious on Twitter ) and RP Sean Marshall. I adore Walt Jocketty for how he handles big deals and how stealth he was this year in getting all of these things done. SO EXCITED FOR MY BOYS THIS YEAR!!

I haven't bought any game tickets yet but I'm also right smack dab in the middle of finalizing everything for two cross country skating trips within three weeks of each other so obviously baseball hasn't been my highest priority this month, LOL

Last night on TSN, they were reporting that Gary Carter is not good at all. Not only has the original brain tumor not shrunken at all, but there's been two new smaller tumours discovered after his latest MRI's. He's also falling quite a bit due to the cancer affecting that area of the brain.

From all I've heard over the years, Gary's a really nice and great guy. What a shame and thoughts and prayers go out to him and his Family.

The Marlins new bazillion dollar stadium nears completion in beautiful east Little Havana. Not enough on site parking, so it's back to parking in some homeowners yard (at a reasonable price......). The built in stores & such are empty. There's no quick way to get there. The new uniform is ugly.

But the season is about to start. Let the good times roll & the devil take the hindmost.

Have fun Jeff and please remember those of us here at FSU and drop us the odd tidbit here and there.

I said please!!

Any comments about that insane amount of money the Tigers threw at Prince Fielder? I actually heard that some of the Jays fans were mad we didn't go after him. I'm sorry, but really? Number one, after dishing out that money to just to win the bid to simply talk to that Japanese pitcher who went somewhere else, no way could we afford Prince. Number two, do we really want that prima donna in our Clubhouse? Hell, no!!

I feel sorry for you Tiger fans, as I don't see this being a good thing for your Team. I just don't.

The one thing that's going to prevent my usual post skating trip depression that happens after I get home from attending a competition is knowing that pitchers and catchers report for my Reds SIX DAYS after I get home from Colorado. WEEEEEE! I am SO READY for Reds baseball! Mom and I have tickets to this spring training exhibition type game between the Reds team and some of their top prospects in the minors that's happening two days before Opening Day. It should be pretty fun and hey, I get my first Joey fangirl fix early this year which is NEVER a bad thing.

While I grew up in Ohio a Reds fan and I'll always have a soft spot for the Cubs since I used to live in Chicago, I'm really excited for the Nationals upcoming season. They've been improving over the last few seasons and finished one game under 500 last year. While it'll be exceedingly difficult to win the NL East this year due to the strength of Philly, I'm thinking the Nats actually have a legitimate shot at making their first post season appearance since moving to DC. I'm looking forward to catching some games this season. I don't particularly care for the NBA or MLS and tickets for the NHL and NFL are expensive, so MLB represents the one professional sport that's still reasonably affordable in this city!

Not good. I hate to say it, but it's looking more and more like his career's done.

edited to add...I meant to quote what Aaron said up there, but forgot until I'd posted. Anyway...

What you said about the Nationals being the one affordable sports team to attend a home game at in the Washington DC area Aaron? The same can be said about the Blue Jays too.

I can't speak for the ticket prices for Toronto FC, as I'm not that big a soccer fan, or for the Toronto Rock, as while I enjoy watching Lacrosse I never seem to be in Toronto when the NLL season is on. However, they play at the Air Canada Centre like the Leafs and the Raptors, so I'm guessing the ticket prices aren't that different to go to a Rock game, since they do have to pay the rent and whatever other fees to be able to use the building.

Meanwhile, the last time I was at a Jays game, I was able to get third row...I'd say about four or five seats to my right/the player's left, from Third Base. The grand total of that ticket? IIRC it was inbetween $25 and $30 and that was w/all of the taxes included.

Also had a really nice chat w/a drop dead gorgeous Toronto police officer while waiting for the worst of the crowd to leave the 'Dome. He thought I was hanging around to try and talk to one of the players, but then saw my white cane and realized I wasn't.

So it literally was a win/win kind of a night.

Even though I saw something that night I hope to never, ever, ever see again. We were playing the Rangers and Josh Hamilton was at bat. I didn't see the entire thing happen, as I was following the ball as it went into the outfield, but Josh lost control of his swing and ended up hitting the Home Base Ump so hard w/his bat, the Ump was knocked out. Seeing that poor man just laid out at Home Plate not moving...

As I said, never want to see that ever again. Thankfully, he was okay, but regardless was scarier than all get out.

Gary Carter. : So young. My husband knew him when he was the manager of the minor league St Lucie Mets and I met him a couple of times. From the first time we met he never forgot my name even when I didn't see him for weeks - charismatic, kind and a champion ball player. RIP, Gary.

I'm surprised he lasted this long after that last update the Family gave to the Public a couple of weeks ago. After I heard about it and that not only had the original tumour not responded to treatment, but that two others had been discovered on the latest scan, I knew Gary didn't have much longer w/his Family and friends.

I have never heard anything bad about Gary from either the Press or those who were lucky enough to have met him. From all accounts, he was one of the really good guys in Baseball.

Spring training has always been a harbinger of spring to me. I was a huge baseball fan while growing up in the 70s and throughout the 80s. Then I moved to a town that was a 3 hour drive from the nearest Major League ballpark. Sadly, I got out of the habit of following the game. Now that I'm, once again, living in a Major League city, I'm looking forward to this coming season. I plan on following the local team and attending a few games.

A friend and I got tix tonight to see them in Baltimore, and we're also hoping to go to a game in DC. I haven't been to either park, and I love road trips. Also hope to see them at home at least once.

And if I'm lucky, I'll see a Japanese baseball game this spring, too.

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Snot.

BTW-Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore is a gorgeous ballpark and I know you're going to have a blast there. Take some pictures there for me if you don't mind!

The Reds pitchers and catchers are working out as I type this and I cannot wait for all the news to start trickling out of Arizona. I just feel like this is going to be a special year for my guys and I cannot wait to go to my first game in April. WOO HOO BASEBALL!!!